This Easy Baked Mac and Cheese is made with elbow pasta, cheddar cheese, and a simple creamy base sauce. Topped with bread crumbs and baked to perfection.
12oz.elbow pastacooked for 5 minutes (see package directions)
¼cup butterfull fat
3 tbspsall purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1cuppasta wateror more if desired
1tsp.salt
1tsp. black pepper
1tsp.paprika
1tspgarlic powder
1tsponion powder
2 ½cupssharp cheddar cheeseshredded (save 1 cup for topping)
1 ½cup white cheddar cheeseshredded
1tbspchopped parsleyoptional
Bread Crumbs Topping
1 cuppanko crumbs
½cupgrated parmesan cheesegrated
1tsppaprika
1tbspbutter
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 F.
Cook your pasta to less than al dente, about one minute from package directions.
To make the homemade mac and cheese sauce, you will need to melt the butter in a non-stick pan on low heat.
Add in the flour and whisk or mix with a wooden spoon and continue stirring until the mixture bubbles up. Add in the milk, pasta water, spices, salt and continue whisking until the sauce is nice and smooth.
Add in the shredded cheese, both white and sharp cheddar (only use 1 ½ cup of sharp cheddar, save 1 cup for topping)
Continue to whisk the mixture together until some of the cheese melts a bit and incorporates with the sauce. The cheese does not have to melt all the way because it will melt in the oven.
Toss the pasta around with the sauce to coat well. If you need the sauce to me more thin, add a little more pasta water and mix.
Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish (11 x 9 inch or similar). Add a layer of shredded cheddar cheese to the top.
To prepare the panko crust, melt 1 tbsp. of butter in a non-stick skillet. Add in the panko crumbs, paprika and toast to give the crumbs a very light golden color.
Turn of the heat and add in the grated parmesan cheese. Mix together and then top the cheddar cheese with the panko crumb mixture.
Bake in a pre-heated 400 F oven for 15-20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and allow the dish to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley and serve.
Video
Notes
Cook your pasta to less than al dente, about one minute from package directions.
Whisk in cold milk, not warm to prevent the flour from clumping.
Buy cheese in block form and take a few moments to grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese will not melt well and won't create a truly smooth and creamy sauce.
Proteins: If you'd like to add proteins, I recommend one of these proteins: Chicken, Shrimp, crab, or Lobster.
Spices: Change up the flavor by using spices like Cajun, Chipotle, or Fajita seasonings.
Make it Spicy: Add Tabasco or Sriracha sauce.
Veggies: Add some steamed broccoli florets into this dish.